Student protesters not embracing redicalism, say observers

JAKARTA (JP): Reports of violence, the large numbers attending almost daily demonstrations and demands like "total reform" have raised questions about whether students have really become radical. In a society brought up to appreciate stability, the word is not at all comforting although everyone is clamoring for prices to come down.

Observers and former activists say that from indications revealed to date the students are not showing signs of radicalism, an orientation toward fast and fundamental change.

This, they say, is mainly because ideology is no longer an issue compared to 1966 when students demanded the banning of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

However they add further development depends a lot on the government's response to demands.

"Pay attention to the key word: reform," says Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, a former chairman of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) student council and one of the "1966 Generation" activists.

"Students are only demanding that leaders reform themselves morally, to stop corruption, nepotism and collusion. No one has tinkered with Pancasila ideology or the 1945 Constitution."

Islamic scholar Nurcholis Madjid, former chairman of the Association of Moslem Students, said student actions now center on economic and political reforms.

"In 1966, student movements easily became radical because they were confronted with the atheist PKI," he said.

But now, everybody has the same ideology, Pancasila. Moreover, he said, students have yet to unite in wanting either gradual or immediate, total reform. Such a situation makes it hard for radicalism to emerge, he said.

Riswandha Imawan, a political scientist from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, shared Nurcholis' view but warned that students could eventually get radical if the authorities responded to their protests repressively.

Sarwono and Jumhur Hidayat, also a former activist at ITB, also remarked that a violent response would only beget more violence.

Jumhur was expelled from ITB in 1989 by rector Wiranto Arismunandar (currently minister of education and culture) for leading a protest against the then visiting minister of home affairs Rudini to the campus. He and five other students served four years in jail.

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Now the executive director of the Center for Information and Development Studies, Jumhur said students could not be blamed if they turned violent.

"They see in their daily lives that violence is commonly pursued by our police and military personnel.

"I believe students would behave in a more friendly manner if treated more humanely. Just allow them to organize their demonstrations."

But like other observers he warned, "Their actions could escalate if the government does not pursue the reforms," he said.

Arbi Sanit from the University of Indonesia also said repressive measures would only unite student movements across the country, which have so far surfaced almost simultaneously without coordination.

Besides feeling they must be a moral force, the professor said students are also affected directly. Many are finding it difficult to pay tuition fees, he said, and could not afford to buy books and pay for photocopying.

Observers and former activists say it won't be only students yelling on the streets if the public becomes convinced that no improvement is in sight.

"We might see hundreds of thousands of people on the streets, but I don't know when," said Sarwono.

Even without physical violence, Arbi said, "I'm sure that demonstrations will get bigger and be joined by many parties, once all interests are affected." (team)